In Carly's countdown box, one of the activities is to "make gift tags". Each year Carly has made a gift tag for a few of her presents. The first idea didn't work out so good, so here is the second attempt. Carly thought they were fun to make and they turned out super cute.

Remember, I had just gotten this lens and was excited about experimenting with it. Carly was content for me to snap away because the camera was focused on the art not her. The only problem with that is when I went back to look at the pictures I realized there is not one picture of her face! But the the photos of the project are great!

We got to spend some time with cousin JC.
Carly helping Nonna in the kitchen. Carly was learning to make one of her favorite things - Bearnaise sauce. First lesson: learning to separate an egg.
Gabby {and I} enjoyed basking in front of the roaring fire!

Wednesday, December 9

The girls and I ventured out to Zoo Lights {new addition to the countdown box this year}. Of course the night we planned to go was the coldest night we have had this season. With temperatures around 30, this fake snow could have been the real thing!

We saw lots of lights and some animals. We got to check out the new section at the zoo modeled after Yellowstone. They actually have a lodge and some animals from Yellowstone - wolves, elk, and grizzly bears.
We went into the lodge to warm up by the fire.
And ran into Santa!

Saturday, December 5

Wow, they are growing up too fast. This year there was less out-of-control silliness. This year 2 hours flew by because they didn't need me for constant supervision and guidance.

The ipod came out so they could control the music. Less Christmas tunes and more Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. At one point, I saw a conga line come through the room.

They made super cute button trees!
After much thought and changing her mind many times, Carly finally chose dogs-in-a-blanket, cheese puffs, and grapes/pineapple for dinner. But, dessert by far won out over the meal. When they asked, what they were having for dessert. Carly said you will just have to wait and see. It is the best dessert ever.

.

They had chocolate fondue. And obviously none of them have experienced fondue before because they think I invented the best new dessert. In fact, after the first couple of dips, it was said that "Ms Kim Sue, you rock". I hated to tell them that fondue has been around a couple of years. In fact, mom let us borrow her fondue pot that she got in the early 70's.

I especially love sitting on the couch with a glass of wine, my camera and watching.

There are a couple random branches that are not working? But we turned it so those are next to the wall and Kenny declared that this was the last Christmas for this one.

Carly unwrapped and separated the ornaments into appropriate piles....hers, Kenny's, mine, family. I have given Kenny an ornament each year since we were married {there are 15 now}. He also has several Mississippi State ornaments that went up first, front-and-center this year.

I love to see Carly's go up because they tell so much about her first 9 years. There are princess ones, sports ones, hunting ones, handmade ones. There is a Cinderella, Grinch, Rudolph, and a Cat in the Hat.

There are also a growing number from vacations over the years...

a sand piper from the beach, a light house from New York, a White House from Washington, Dumbo from Disney, and even a glass Santa in a gondola from Venice.

I haven't given up finding one with a precious little girl with a cute lime green cast for this year!